Social Studies Department

Graduation Requirements

Every student must have 2.5 credits of Social Studies to graduate. Students must enroll in Geography or Honors World History freshman year, a U.S. History class sophomore through senior year, and a semester course in government senior year. Many electives are offered to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Special Note

• The aim of the Social Studies Department is to help students develop into responsible, participatory citizens, the cornerstone of our democratic republic. This goal is pursued in the regular classes as well as the Advanced Placement classes.
• There is mobility among the courses. Taking one Advanced Placement class does not mean a student may take only Advanced Placement classes; and the fact that a student takes a regular class does not mean he cannot move to an Advanced Placement class later.
• The Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley Social Studies Departments want to advise all students that many universities require three or more social studies credits above the graduation requirement for either high school in District 204. Students are strongly urged to consider one or more of the department’s electives throughout their high school careers.

In the course descriptions that follow, we have done our best to help students in picking the classes that best suit their needs. We encourage parents to read all the descriptions carefully and to remain an active partner in their child's education throughout his or her high school education. If you have any questions prior to registering, please call the Social Studies Chair of the high school.

Social Studies Graduation Check List

Graduation Requirements: Every student must have 2.5 credits in Social Studies to graduate. Students must earn the 2.5 credits through enrollment in the required courses offered at each grade level. In addition to the required courses, students may select elective courses.
 

Required Social Studies Courses

Freshman

Freshmen must enroll in one of the following year-long courses (one credit each):

• Honors World History
• World Geography

How do I know which course to take?

Honors World History
This honors class is usually the choice of strong students who did well in middle school social studies. They were most often “A” students not only in social studies but also in English. In addition, these students have received the recommendation of their eighth-grade teachers to continue into Honors World History. If a student meets these standards then he or she should select this class. It is marked by daily reading, frequent writing and a faster paced, more analytic curriculum. If a student doesn’t meet these standards but still wishes to take this class, then the student should talk with one of the World History teachers before enrolling. Students who take this course often take Advanced Placement European History their sophomore year. (One credit)

World Geography
This is a marvelous course for students who want to prepare for other high school social studies classes and college-level work in general. It is a challenging course that develops critical thinking, reading, speaking and listening skills. Students who do not meet the recommendations for taking Honors World History will find this an extremely worthwhile course, preparing them well for the future. This course will have regular homework, just not as fast paced or independent as the work in Honors World History. (One credit)

Sophomore

There are no required sophomore courses; however, many sophomore students choose to continue coursework in Social Studies through the department’s electives.

Junior

Juniors must enroll in one of the following year-long options, unless this requirement was fulfilled during the sophomore year (one credit each):

• Advanced Placement U.S. History
• U.S. History (Traditional)
• American Studies

How do I know which course to take?

Advanced Placement United States History
This class continues the accelerated pacing and curriculum begun sophomore year in Advanced Placement European History. Students who successfully completed that course often take this one; however, any juniors ready for the rigors of an Advanced Placement class are welcomed to rise to this challenge. This is a rigorous course, preparing students for the Advanced Placement U.S. History examination and college in general. This course does have a summer reading requirement and writing assignment. (One credit)

United States History (Traditional)
This comprehensive course is perfect for students not ready for the advanced pacing of the Advanced Placement U.S. History course. It focuses on similar material and challenges the students to develop an understanding of American history in a critical fashion. This course also prepares students for success at the college level. It satisfies the graduation requirement for juniors as well. (One credit)

American Studies
This year-long course is another way to fulfill the U.S. History graduation requirement. This course offers a more multi-cultural approach—one that integrates history, art, music, literature and architecture more than a traditional approach to U.S. History. American Studies demands active student participation, intensive outside reading and challenges beyond the classroom setting. This course, while being an alternative to the traditional approach to U.S. History, does fulfill the graduation requirement. (One credit)

Senior

Seniors must take the following course (.5 credit):

Government
This is a required course for all seniors, introducing students to the basic principles of political science. Emphasis is placed on students becoming part of an active citizenry. This semester course covers philosophy, the Constitution, political parties, campaigns and the three branches of American government. Group and individual projects are utilized. This class is required for graduation. Federal and State constitutional graduation requirements will be covered in this course. (.5 credit)

Electives

How do I know which course to take?

Advanced Placement European History (Grade 10)
Many students who were in the Honors World History class choose to continue their honors study of the social studies in this Advanced Placement class. For students who intend to pursue a full program of Advanced Placement classes, then beginning them during the sophomore year with Advanced Placement European History is a wise choice. This is an accelerated course of European history helping students develop independent study skills and critical thinking. The Advanced Placement European History course prepares students for the Advanced Placement examination as well as intermediate and advanced college course work. A summer reading project and writing assignment must be completed prior to the course. In order to take this course, a sophomore should have earned an “A” in World Geography or Honors World History. Students who take this course most often continue into Advanced Placement U.S. History their junior year. (One credit)

Advanced Placement International Politics and Government (Grade 12)
This is a second semester, college-level course in international politics. This is specifically aimed at students who successfully completed the Government requirement. It is a challenging course with a rigorous curriculum requiring a great deal of reading with an emphasis on critical thinking. Upon completion of this course, students may take the Advanced Placement exams in Government and Politics – United States and/or the Government and Politics - Comparative. This Advanced Placement class is offered second semester only. (.5 credit)
Electives

Advanced Placement Psychology (Grades 11,12)
Students who have successfully completed Psychology with an “A” or a “B,” may wish to try to earn college credit by taking this course and then passing the Advanced Placement Psychology exam in the spring. This, like all Advanced Placement classes, is a rigorous course, which will prepare students for intermediate and advanced college courses. Intensive reading and writing skills will be a major focus, as will hands-on research and experimentation, but any student ready for the challenge and prepared to do the work at the pace and intensity of an Advanced Placement class, will find this a very rewarding experience. (.5 credit)

Adventure Studies and Pursuits (Grades 11,12)
This unique offering is for juniors and seniors only. It fulfills a half-credit of Social Studies and satisfies a semester requirement for Physical Education. Students don’t have to take a Physical Education class during the semester they are enrolled in this course. This class combines a study of geography, survival skills, land management, environmental concerns, and navigation techniques with the physical demands of hiking, backpacking and rock climbing. This course also teaches leadership skills and decision-making. Students in this class will have daily classroom work along with various trips (weeknights, weekends, and days off from school) where they’ll put these skills to good use. Students who elect to take this unique opportunity should be physically fit, relatively active and able to participate in the demands of the numerous out-of-class trips. They can also expect to do some outside reading and to complete a final project. Students taking this class may be required to purchase individual equipment for the trips. A participation fee is required. This course is offered second semester only. Students interested will be asked to go through an interview process at registration time. (.5 credit)

American Society (Grade 10)
The sophomore year offers American Society as a “block” course. It is a combination of U.S. History and American Literature, looking at the history and literature of American humanities concurrently. Students will receive individual grades for each course and will fulfill the graduation requirements for both U.S. History and English. The link between the two courses allows for many opportunities to emphasize the connections between American history, literature, art, music and architecture through team-teaching and joint projects. The course demands active student participation, intensive outside reading, and challenges beyond the classroom setting (i.e., field trips and projects). Students who are interested in studying history and English through this creative, humanities emphasis will enjoy this course. (One credit)

American Studies (Grade 10)
This year-long course is another way to fulfill the U.S. History graduation requirement. This course offers a more multi-cultural approach—one that integrates history, art, music, literature and architecture more than a traditional approach to U.S. History. American Studies demands active student participation, intensive outside reading and challenges beyond the classroom setting. Most students who take this course do so as juniors, but sophomores may enroll if they have secured instructor approval. (One credit)

Military History (Grades 11,12)
This course is aptly named and is the right course for anyone interested in the various aspects of warfare throughout human history. Topics include the nature of war and its causes and effects on society, technology and methods of warfare. Students will also study great military leaders such as Napoleon, Alexander, Edward I, and Rommel. To take this course, students must have completed or currently be enrolled in a class that satisfies the U.S. History graduation requirement. This course is a college-preparatory course and also requires challenging reading. (.5 credit)

Psychology (Grades 11,12)
Students interested in learning about why people do what they do and maybe even learning about themselves and how they relate to others, will find this a fascinating class. The many topics covered include study of the brain, sleep and dreams, learning theory, memory, intelligence, personality, mental health and abnormal behaviors. This is a college-prep course, which requires challenging reading. There is also an emphasis on student-centered projects. Students should be ready to meet both of these challenges before signing up for the class. Many students go from this course into Advanced Placement Psychology. (.5 credit)

Sociology (Grades 11,12)
Sociology is another challenging course for those interested in preparing for college and understanding human behavior in a complex world. The course examines the structures and functions of society and the dynamics of how groups interact together. It also examines current social issues in America. Possible activities for the student include field trips to Chicago and to a prison in Indiana. This is a college prep course that requires challenging reading. (.5 credit)

U.S. Geography (Grades 11,12)
This course is designed to provide students with an extensive knowledge of U.S. Geography. Various contemporary environmental issues will be studied. A three-week unit on the geography of Illinois is included. Students who take this class will learn to read maps, create maps and contour models, learn surveying skills, and use compasses and GPS units. Supplemental reading is required. (.5 credit)

U.S. History (Traditional) (Grades 11)
Some sophomores opt to take the U.S. History requirement as an elective during their sophomore year. This comprehensive course is perfect for students not ready for the advanced pacing of the Advanced Placement U.S. History course. It focuses on similar material, and challenges the students to develop an understanding of American history in a critical fashion. Students should talk with the instructor before registering for the course. If a student intends to load up his junior and senior years in another discipline, then taking U.S. History the sophomore year is an option, but most students take the U.S. History requirement during their junior year. (One credit)